The way you pay your portion of these costs is in deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

In general, the more you pay in monthly premiums, the less you’ll pay in out-of-pocket costs each time you go for a health care service or to pick up a prescription. A premium is what you each month to have insurance.

As an example, consider the differences in the bronze and platinum plans.

With a bronze plan:

The amount you pay each time you see your doctor or get a prescription is the highest among the different plan levels. This is called having higher "out-of-pocket" costs. But, in a bronze plan, you also generally pay the lowest premium each month.

With a platinum plan:

Compared to the other plan levels, you are likely to pay less each time you see your doctor or get a prescription. But in a platinum plan, you'll also pay the highest monthly premium.

How does coverage from a metal plan compare to my current insurance?

The bronze through platinum coverage levels are new. So you probably don't know how the benefits of the plan you use today compare to the benefits they offer. The coverage level you have now depends on how you bought your plan:

If you bought it from an employer, your coverage level is likely between a gold and platinum level.

If you bought it on your own, your coverage level is likely between a bronze and silver level.